Jockey Sofia Vives guides Patches O’Houlihan to victory in the $250,000 Nearctic Stakes. (Woodbine/ Michael Burns Photo)
Presented by The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
TORONTO, Ont. – Patches O’Houlihan, with Sofia Vives in the irons, was challenged early, but fought on gamely down the lane to win Grade 2 $250,000 Nearctic Stakes Presented by The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Saturday at Woodbine.
The six-furlong turf stakes for 3-year-olds and upward, attracted a competitive field of 10, including Patches O’Houlihan, Canada’s reigning champion male sprinter.
Trained by Robert Tiller for owner and breeder Frank Di Giulio, Jr., the bay gelding once again displayed his grit and gumption, this time on the E.P. Taylor turf.
In typical fashion, Patches O’Houlihan broke sharply from the gate, but was immediately engaged by Bring Theband Home, with the duo gaining some separation from their rivals through an opening panel in :22.67 over good going.
The pacesetters continued their toe-to-toe tussle into the turn for home with little separating them.
Coming off the turn, Patches O’Houlihan and Bring Theband Home were still slugging it out, while Outlaw Kid, second choice on the tote board, commenced a spirited run.
Patches O’Houlihan, who had begun to drift out less than 250 yards from the wire, surrendered the lead to rail-riding Outlaw Kid before coming back on to gain the upper hand with less than 100 yards left en route to a 1 ½-length win. Dhabab (IRE) was second, a half-length ahead of War Bomber (IRE), who was a neck in front of Outlaw Kid.
The final time was 1:09.49.
“It’s very nice to win for this team,” said Vives, Canada’s champion apprentice in 2023. “This horse was really something special today. It was his first time on the grass this year. He ran amazing. I mean, he just shows up every day and gives it his all. No matter what surface, he’s very special.
“Every time I ride him, we think maybe we could sit off speed today, but he hears us in the mornings, and he knows he’s faster than everybody, and he’ll prove everybody wrong.”
It was the fourth win in as many starts on the campaign for the Ontario-bred, whose 2024 victories include a pair of Grade 3 triumphs, the Bold Venture and Vigil, in his past two engagements.
Patches O’Houlihan debuted in September 2022 and recorded a 4 ½-length win at 5 ½ furlongs over Woodbine’s all-weather track. From May 21, 2023, to Sep. 16, 2023, he won six straight races.
“He’s a great horse,” praised Tiller, who also campaigned champion sprinter and hall of famer Pink Lloyd. “I love him. Today was a huge thrill and relief more than anything, and he’s right up there with the rest of them. It’s like saying, ‘Which kid do you like better?’ I’m not doing that. He’s wonderful. He’s been a blessing.”
With the Nearctic score, Patches O’Houlihan, sired by Reload out of the Silent Name mare Maythefourthbwithu, is now 11-0-0 from 13 starts.
He paid $6.30.
